” In spring 2010 University of Akron undergraduate students will see an increase in their tuition. The board of trustees passed the raise during a board meeting held in the beginning of August. With a 3.5 percent increase to the budget, the most allowed under the new state budget by Gov.”
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In spring 2010 University of Akron undergraduate students will see an increase in their tuition.

The board of trustees passed the raise during a board meeting held in the beginning of August.

With a 3.5 percent increase to the budget, the most allowed under the new state budget by Gov. Ted Strickland, students will pay $139 more a semester.

In a e-mail sent to faculty, John Case, Vice President for Finance and Administration, explained the increase.

The increase – along with earlier decisions to hold salaries steady and to reduce budgets and other investments – enables us to narrow our budget shortfall to about $7 million for the fiscal year that started July 1.

He also explained that the shortfall came from three key areas: rising costs, cuts in state funding and cuts in line items.

For students, the decision to hold tuition steady for the fall semester will help make college more affordable for them and their families, Case said in the e-mail.

UA has held tuition flat since 2006. The increase in spring tuition will help us maintain the quality of our academic core and sustain as many student services as possible.

This came along with cuts in certain grants students receive.

The state’s large reduction in funding for the Ohio Instructional Opportunity Grant will affect about 4,500 of our students. Often, the recipients of this award are students with the greatest financial need. We have communicated with these students, letting them know about the options available and the financial aid specialists who are here to assist them.

The budget committee will continue to look for ways to reduce costs for the university.

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